Cain right to make education a chamber priority

MRTMidland Reporter-Telegram

Published 5:33 pm, Thursday, September 8, 2011

Laurels

- For Paul Cain. The 2010-11 Midland Chamber of Commerce board chairman was right to make education a chamber priority. Encouraging investment now will pay off with an educated workforce that helps all Midland.

-- For those interested in giving go to the Chamber's Partners in Education website -- www.piemidland.org. We believe there is a spot for most Midlanders and many Midland businesses to step up and support our students.

- For David O'Neil. Wells Fargo Community Banking president was named board chairman for 2011-12. We look forward to seeing his leadership continue the strides the chamber has taken during the last few years.

- Congratulations for the following chamber award winners: Christa Dobbs from Grande Communications (volunteer of the year), Members Financial Federal Credit Union (small business of the year) and MARC (medium/large business of the year.)

-- For former Midlander Andrew Hancock, a professional photographer whose work will be showcased at Midland College's McCormick Gallery through the end of the month. The Midland High School graduate is an example of what someone can accomplish with hard work and perseverance. Hancock's first job was at a small newspaper in Indiana, but he has worked his way up to head photographer at Purdue University and is a frequent contributor to Sports Illustrated. Well done, Andrew.

-- For a community coming together. It is nice to have school starting, the summer behind us and the community together for events like homecoming parades, Septemberfest (this weekend) and others coming up on the community calendar.

Thursday night some members of the community came together for Bonham first-grader Miranda Molinar, who recently was diagnosed with a brain stem tumor. For those who missed the "Hope for Miranda" cookout but want to help, you may give to the "Hope for Miranda" fund at Midland Teachers Credit Union, account number 82180.

-- For those who remember on 9/11. Whether at Midland College, MISD or Midland Classical (among other places), Midlanders are taking time to remember the attacks on our country and the ramifications. We hope even if you can't make it to a celebration, you take some time this weekend to pay tribute and say thank you to the troops and others who protect us.

-- For Jordan Weatheral. If you haven't seen his flag display at Midland Classical, you should. The Reporter-Telegram will have pictures in Saturday's edition. He deserves kudos for his effort.

Arrows

-- For Baylor University. It's time to get out of the way of Texas A&M's move to the SEC. If you want to blame someone, blame Big 12 Conference leaders for not being proactive in keeping the conference together. The breakup didn't happen overnight.